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Golf carts, long used for short trips within West Valley senior-living communities, travel in a legal gray area.

The carts often are driven on the shoulder of the road in communities such as Sun City and Sun City West. Although the roads are wide enough for automobiles and carts, state law forbids cart drivers to use the shoulder, some county officials say. Others say it's permitted.

A bill sponsored by state Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Glendale, aims to legalize the practice, potentially affecting thousands of West Valley residents. In Sun City, half of the 27,500 households use golf carts, according to the Sun City Home Owners Association.

On Feb 18, the state House voted 60-0 in favor of the bill. It now must go to the Senate for a vote before it heads to the governor's desk.

There is a good chance this legislation will pass and become law, Lesko said.

Sun City resident Carolyn Healydrives her cart from her home near the 18th hole at Palmbrook Country Club to the beginning of the golf course.

"In my opinion, the shoulder should be for golf carts and bicycles," said the 76-year-old, who has owned a golf cart for six years.

It makes more sense to drive on the far right to allow cars to pass, she said. Other than golf-cart owners and bicyclists, no one uses the shoulder, she added.

"If you can't drive in it, why is it there?" Healy asked.

Unclear rules

If passed, House Bill 2027 wouldpermit golf-cart operators to drive on the street shoulders in the unincorporated age-restricted communities of Sun City, Sun City West and Sun Lakes when it is safe to do so, Lesko said.

Last summer, Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies ticketed five golf-cart drivers in Sun City for driving on the shoulder, the lawmaker said. Several golf-cart owners contacted her because they had been driving on the shoulder and didn't know it was illegal.

Because golf-cart drivers didn't want to get ticketed, they drove in the road, Lesko said, causing traffic backups. Motorists behind the carts honked and flipped off cart drivers, she said.

"The seniors were flustered and felt their lives were at risk," she added.

Maricopa County agencies, which govern unincorporated communities, such as Sun City and Sun City West, disagree about road rules for carts.

When Lesko met with representatives from county government and other stakeholders, the Maricopa County Department of Transportation said carts could use the shoulder, but the County Sheriff's Office said current law did not permit it, Lesko said.

Golf-cart operators are not allowed to drive on the shoulder because carts are classified as motor vehicles and cannot be in one lane, moving the same direction as another adjacent motor vehicle, said Richard Bohan, director of government relations for Maricopa County.

That said, "I think any reasonable person reading the (current) statute could have a different opinion," Bohan added.

Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman, whose district includes the West Valley retirement communities, said it's important to fix the law.

"If there is a lack of clarity in existence, we want to make it clear," he said.

As the bill makes its way through the Legislature, the Sheriff's Office has agreed to suspend citing golf-cart operators for driving on the shoulder.

Residents' support

In support of the bill, the Sun City HOA's transportation committee asked for residents' feedback on the issue.

Residents "responded overwhelmingly" in support of the bill by e-mail and at a Jan. 23 meeting, said Carole Studdard, the marketing and public-relations coordinator for the association.

This issue holds great importance for Sun City residents because 50 to 55 percent of households own golf carts, Studdard said.

Chuck Hobbs, a cart owner since 2001, knows he could be cited for driving on the wide shoulders along Sun City's roads, but does it anyway for safety reasons.

If cart owners drive in the main lanes, as current law permits, cars will honk and pass on the left. That creates "a dangerous situation," Hobbs said.

Another cart owner, Willie Cleveland, said he has never felt unsafe driving in Sun City.

Cleveland, 66, who has owned his cart for 35 years, said he drives it more than his car, especially short distances like trips to the grocery store or golf course.

Besides being easy to park, Cleveland said he likes driving his electric cart because it's convenient and better for the environment because it does not burn fossil fuels.

"It just works slick," he said.

Next step

The bill is headed to the state Senate where it will take a week or so before it has its first hearing.